Harley-Davidson 1690 ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA LIMITED 110ème Anniversaire FLHTK 2013 — Specifications

One hundred and ten years. That number could have been nothing more than a marketing pretext, another decal stuck onto an already chrome-laden tank. Yet Harley-Davidson chose to make something more meaningful of it in 2013, dressing several of its flagship models in anniversary livery. The Electra Glide Ultra Limited is among the chosen few, and it's easy to understand why: this machine embodies the American grand touring philosophy better than any other.

Beneath the imposing fairing beats the Twin Cam 103, a 45-degree V-twin displacing 1690cc, whose 98.4mm bore and 111.1mm stroke immediately betray its low-rpm ambitions. Peak power stands at 81 horsepower at 5,350rpm, but it's the torque that tells this motorcycle's story: 129.4Nm available from just 3,500rpm. This is not a machine built for the tight hairpins of alpine passes — it's a long-haul tractor that swallows miles with a serenity that neither the BMW R 1200 RT nor the Honda Gold Wing can match in their most unrefined register. The 6-speed Cruise Drive gearbox with helical primary gear and belt final drive completes the picture: no harshness, only mechanical smoothness.

The flip side of this absolute comfort shows up directly on the scales. Four hundred and thirteen kilograms fully fuelled, 400 dry. That is the price to pay for carrying full fairing, lockable saddlebags, a top case, an audio screen, and all the two-up seating designed to absorb 500 miles without distressing rider or passenger. The 745mm seat height remains accessible for an average build, but low-speed manoeuvring demands well-practised technique. This FLHTK is not recommended for a novice rider — not for any lack of straight-line stability, but because managing it at walking pace in a parking lot requires a genuine familiarity with the machine.

At 29,390 euros in its anniversary trim, it targets a very specific audience: the seasoned, Americana-loving long-distance tourer who seeks not sporting performance but the ability to cross a continent with a smile. Against a BMW K 1600 GTL or a Kawasaki 1400 GTR, the Electra offers less onboard electronics, a top speed of 170km/h that confirms its exclusively touring intentions, and fuel consumption worth monitoring given a tank limited to 22.7 litres. But it delivers what its Japanese and German rivals cannot: a sonic, aesthetic, and cultural identity that is absolutely irreplaceable.

The 110th Anniversary series adds to all of this a collector dimension that gains a little more value with each passing year. Extra chrome, dedicated badges, carefully executed finishes — Harley knows how to celebrate its own anniversaries with a craftsmanship that few manufacturers can match. For anyone who has dreamed of an Electra Glide Ultra Limited, the 2013 model year remains the version to seek out on the used market.